57 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence when investment in the Air Corps will take place; the timescale for the decision making involved; the procedures in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/00]

72 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Defence if he has received from the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps the full technical specification documents necessary for the purchase of new Air Corps equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13721/00]

102 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the timetable for the proposed replacement programme of helicopter and fixed wing aircraft for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13675/00]

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to upgrade, expand and modernise the Air Corps in line with other European counterparts in view of Ireland's participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 72, 102 and 143 together.

The recently published White Paper on Defence states that the Government is committed to ensuring that all components of the Defence Forces organisation are adequately equipped to carry out their assigned roles.

The Government's plans for the development of the Defence Forces envisage the re-direction of resources largely from manpower to the acquisition of modern equipment. To advance this process, a high level civil-military planning and procurement group will formulate a five year plan to address the equipment needs of the Defence Forces.

The Government recognises that there are urgent equipment modernisation requirements in the Air Corps. In recognition of these urgent requirements I was pleased to announce on 1 March 2000 the allocation of a total of up to £55 million over the next three years for this purpose. These funds will initiate vital investment in new aircraft for the Air Corps under the direction of the high level civil-military planning and procurement group. This substantial funding for the Air Corps in the short-term will ensure that the Air Corps is ready and equipped to carry out different taskings as required.